China calls for foreign fighters to withdraw from Libya

A Chinese envoy reiterated the necessity on Wednesday for external armed forces and mercenaries to withdraw from Libya as soon as possible.

“The peaceful reconstruction of Libya is now at a critical stage, and to promote political transition is an important cornerstone to ensure its long-term peace and stability. China calls on all parties to continue to adhere to the general direction of a political settlement, strengthen dialog and consultation, and garner more consensus for the early resumption of political negotiations and establishing unified state institutions,” said Dai Bing, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, at the Security Council briefing on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Dai called on the international community to continue to support efforts to seek African solutions to African problems and promote a political settlement to the Libyan issue. “We call for the respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Libya, and reiterate our urge that external armed forces and mercenaries be withdrawn from Libya as soon as possible in a smooth and orderly manner,” he said.

He also called for easing antagonism and confrontation, and maintaining security and stability; and focusing on humanitarian challenges and improving people’s livelihood in Libya.

Noting that Libya has experienced a long period of civil war and conflict with a seriously divided security structure, and some of the recent unilateral actions have worsened the fragile security situation, the ambassador called on all Libyan parties to put the interest of the country and the people first, remain rational and restraint, continue to strictly comply with the ceasefire agreement, implement the consensus of the 5+5 joint military commission, and work together to safeguard the hard-won detente.

Under the 2020 ceasefire agreement, all foreign forces were meant to be withdrawn within months, but very few are believed to have left.

Libya’s rival factions have continued to rely on fighters drawn from African countries, Turkey, Syria, and Russia.